According to several sources, Jesse Jackson has just announced six Senators who will join in challenging the Electors today in a joint session of Congress. His announcement was made to a rally going on at this hour in Lafayette Park across from the White House.

Jackson told the crowd that Senator Barbara Boxer will stand to challenge, and will be supported by at least the following Democratic Senators: Hilary Clinton (NY), Harry Ried (NV), Barack Obama (IL), Dick Durbin (IL) and Christopher Dodd (CT).

Jackson's statement was just confirmed by The BRAD BLOG with a second source. A representative from Rainbow/PUSH and an aide to Rev. Jackson who spoke to us by cellphone moments ago as Jackson could be heard in the background speaking to reporters has confirmed that Jackson announced Sen. Barbara Boxer will stand and make the challenge, and will be supported by at least a half a dozen Senators.

"When they convene for the debate," he told us, "at least a half dozen if not more will speak about the irregularities and the need for Election reform. Boxer herself will raise the challenge."

He confirmed the Senators named above and suggests that people continue to send in Email and phonecalls asking Senators to stand up.

MORE...

AP is confirming that Boxer "and a small group of Democrats" will challenge.

It would be only the second time since 1877 that the House and Senate were forced into separate meetings to consider electoral votes.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., signed a challenge mounted by House Democrats to Ohio's 20 electoral votes, which put Bush over the top. By law, a protest signed by members of the House and Senate requires both chambers to meet separately for up to two hours to consider it. Lawmakers are allowed to speak for no more than five minutes each.

"I have concluded that objecting to the electoral votes from Ohio is the only immediate way to bring these issues to light by allowing you to have a two-hour debate to let the American people know the facts surrounding Ohio's election," Boxer wrote in a letter to Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, a leader of the Democratic effort.

And the White House seems prepared to keep their "conspiracy theorist" defense firmly in place. We'll expect to hear the following language, as reported by AP repeated quite frequently as the day goes on...

"I think the American people expect members of Congress to work together and move forward on the real priorities facing this country, instead of engaging in conspiracy theories and rehashing issues that were settled long ago," McClellan said.

If you can't beat 'em, slime 'em...

MORE FROM BOXER'S PRESS CONFERENCE...

Senator Boxer: "It's not about overturning the election. For me, this is the opening round in the call for Electoral Justice."

He had the distinction of being intellectually honest, working his way up from poverty, and finally to being tempted by the greatest powers that be in our country and denying them and instead holding fast to the rule of law.

You know as well as I that he could have made a deal to be on the Supreme Court. Instead he opted to be a great american.

Judge John Sirica a great american first, and a great republican second.

May we all honor his memory by doing as he did.

Please object to the electoral votes from Ohio, Florida, and New Mexico. Whether or not it is merely a symbolic gesture, at least it honors his legacy.

Sincerely,
[name]
>>

There are no Democrats, Independents, or Republicans when it comes to vote fraud and communist spies.

CSAN 2 Here in Seattle said the Joint Session would start in five minutes... then inexplicably CUT to Nancy Pelosi's little briefing.... I'm listening on Radio Left right now.... I'm totally in shock... go to Radio Left if YOU are having the same problem OK? This is creepy... it's scheduled right on the main page for CSPAN but NOT happening... Looks like CSPAN 1 is now covering Boxer's statement.... jeez louse

Of course, as you know, Republicans control right now so don't expect any quick action, if ever, on amending the constitution and giving people the rights now owned by bought and paid for state officials. The powers that be like it that way. Keep it away from the hands of the people and in the hands of a smaller group of politicians they control.

And let's not forget that state legislators who vote on constitutional amendments are about as honest as their federal brethren. Election reform is a good and necessary fight, but if Republicans prevent it, then they can keep electing or selecting their favorites. Further preventing reform or amendments that make sense.

Our legal and constitutional structure is failing us and it may be beyond repair. I'm hopeful we can make a change, but we actually may need major surgery! Let's see how things develop and then weigh all options for the future!

This seems the appropriate section of today's offerings for me to report what I have just sent to MY senator, here in Washington state...

"The Patty Murray that I helped to put into office, not so many years ago, would have stood in support of the challenge to the Ohio electors, I am quite sure. Obviously, you are not that same Patty Murray.

"I am therefore informing you that I can no longer support any future efforts at your reelection. This one, in my view, was a Biggie! My faith in 'the system' is ENTIRELY gone. And I say this at age 77, after living long enough to see it deteriorate from the days of Franklin Roosevelt.

"I am ashamed of you. I am ashamed of this country. I am ashamed to be an American."

______
And for a parting shot, I could not resist sending this message to Tom DeLay's office:

"I watched your smug speech before the assembled House, at the close of today's hearing on the Ohio elector objection, in which you stressed how important it was to 'come together' after the so-recently divisive election campaign, and I wondered how you could be so dense as not to see that the only POSSIBLE way America will come together again is for the Congress to really go into this voting thing. It is a festering wound that is not going to heal, but only get worse until something is done about it.

"But of course, cynicism may be your prime quality . . . you may have no real concern for the healing of America, for all I know."

Why Mr. Jackson didnt hear the protest(commonly people) being occurring in Caracas street during his visit to Venezuela

What about all he promote in favor of Human Rights???!!! What did Chavez Offer him this time "another piece of our country??? Why his silent???!!! HOW MUCH HIPOCRESY AND LIES ARE DEVASTING OUR COUNTRY !!!